Well, it's release of the "official version" of Macross Frontier episode 1 today. I've not been able to find it online as yet, but from what many have said the "Deculture Edition" released back in December 2007 was just a rough cut version of the first episode. People over at animesuki have commented that the final broadcast cut of episode 1 is even better than the Deculture edition. I can't wait to see it.

Some new pictures are starting to crop up online. I'll try to upload them to my webspace as soon as I can.

Well, this is the big one we've been waiting for; the first new Macross television series since 1995 and only the third such television show in the Macross franchise. Macross Frontier is off to a great start, but it's yet to prove itself as a series. Here's hoping for the best.

The first picture shows what appears to be the Attack Mode of the Frontier 25. It appears to have two boom guns on the back and the arms appear to have their cannons integrated. A welcome departure from the Battle 7.

There's also some new footage of the VF-25F in the white and red colors in the new opening. I think I may like the VF-25F better than the VF-25S, but both look great.

Well, that's all for now. Hopefully the fansubs of the final cut episode 1 are made available soon.

Here's a set of three high resolution shots that detail the Macross 25 in Ship and Attack modes as well as a brief silhouetted appearance of what looks like a new Variable Fighter (unknown fighter shown on the left, VF-25 shown on the right)

Mr March wrote:from what many have said the "Deculture Edition" released back in December 2007 was just a rough cut version of the first episode. People over at animesuki have commented that the final broadcast cut of episode 1 is even better than the Deculture edition.

sadly, for me, that's very far from the truth.

there are additional scenes, and many deleted scenes, but on the whole the editing is terrible. the flow of the show makes watching it very hard, and if i didn't watch the deculture edition i think i will be very confused. very very bad storytelling there.

Just watched the new edit. Personally, I'm fine with it, but I will say that it is not overly superior nor is it inferior to the Deculture Edition from December 2007. What we get is pretty much just the same.

BE WARNED! SPOILERS! SPOILERS, I SAY!

This new broadcast edit does alter the pacing of the episode and we lose some good editing at the expense of the new (notably the concert/battle intercut). However we also gain and some sequences work much better. Cutting the Ghost fighter sequence actually makes the encounter with the Vajra both more immediate and the loss of human life definitely adds more dramatic tension. The new edit also makes the concert more coherent. Alto, Michael and co. prescence makes much more sense in the new edit rather than the Deculture edition where we're left to wonder why they are involved when they're suddenly seen flying around in the performance. We also get much more fluid character introductions for people like the officer taking care of Sheryl (can't recall her name right now). It also links Ranca to Alto and his friends and intercutting the battle outside between Alto and friends makes for excellent foreshadowing.

Overall, the gains and losses seem on par with each other. This is the nature of editing. Of course, this alternate version has to compete with Macross fans who have the "Deculture Edition" tatooed on the inside of their eyelids after watching it about a hundred and one times over since December. In that respect, even the Deculture Edition would fail to impress were the release dates of the two versions reversed.

Ultimately, I'm glad we have both edits of Macross Frontier Episode 1. Like Macross Plus, I enjoy watching both OVA and Film versions and I'll be more than happy to enjoy the two edits of MF episode 1 all the same.

I have to say, so far this series is firing on all cylinders. The opening battle sequence to Episode 2 was non-stop mecha porn in the best sense of the phrase. The animation just keeps getting better and better. I was worried that the first episode of Macross Frontier set the bar a bit too high and revealed too much of the mecha goodies. But episode two seems to show a steady stream of new mecha technologies for the Valkyries. Ozuma's Full Armor fusillade of missiles was a welcome and expected Itano Circus of mayhem and it was great to see the wrap-around imaging monitors of the Battroid cockpit are intact and updated in a very pleasing new visual style. The infamous knife attack calls back to the days of Isamu's bayonet moves in Macross Plus. After an episode and a half of that big red Vajra kicking everyone's butt, I practically leaped out of my chair and cheered when Ozuma's mighty Full Armor VF-25 sunk it's knife deep into the beast's neck. Lip-licking goodness, indeed my dear Ozuma!

As is traditional in the Macross shows, the supporting cast of pilots are seen in distinct colored mecha. Mikhail shows up in a deep blue colored VF-25 with some kind of specialized Sniper Gun Pod, definitely a first for Macross. His skill with the gun is quite impressive and as always his entrance is spectacular. Luca plays more of a background role in this episode, piloting a green colored VF-25 with the ELINT package of a top mounted Radome and and ventral fin. Ozuma obviously has a tendency to razz the newest young members of SMS and Luca is probably eager to prove his worth in battle. In a beautiful homage that practically brings fans to tears, Alto saves Ranka in a daring mid-air rescue that mirrors the Macross history some 25 years ago when Hikaru saved Minmay in his old VF-1D during a similar edge of your seat battle.

As for our main characters, Alto gets a really strong lesson in reality from Ozuma in the form of a good solid punch. It's great to see Macross pulling no punches. After years of anime where whining brats are pandered to it's refreshing to see an immature child like Alto get exactly what he needs to make him grow up. On the less overt side of the character arcs, Ranka obviously has some connection to the Vajra and given that this is Macross, her singing is no doubt connected. The episode ends on a great meeting of the three characters with yet another cliffhanger. This show so far hasn't stopped delivering the goods and each episode makes me want to see more.

Thus far, Macross Frontier is a fine return to form for the Macross franchise. Though some fans may disagree, Macross hasn't been this good since 1994's Macross Plus. Frontier is definitely going back to the roots of the Macross story, but with each homage and reference to Macross history, the story charges in new directions and pulls out all the stops for mecha fans hungry for new giant robot and fighter jet action. The animation continues to impress and the background music is amazing, featuring a lush orchestral score that is elevating the action to new heights. All I can say is bring on episode three. I'm there!

Nice thread man, I like the pics you posted, reary cool.
I saw the first episode on youtube yesterday, and I have to say it is not so good. I didn't like the character designs, they all too girly and too much J-pop to me, why not bring back the character style from Macross Zero.
Only thing I enjoy alot from it is the fight scenes, the Satelite done well on the all CG VF fighters and the rest machines, waiting to see it more on rest of episodes.

The third episode of Macross Froniter shifts gears into a more character driven pace, a welcome change from the two hectic, action-packed episodes that began the series. We get a really good dose of character development when Alto, Ranka and Sheryl are all stuck together in an emergency bunker, narrowly escaping decompression in the Island dome from a Vajra attack. The Vajra attack is truly viscious and Ozuma himself is injured during the attack. There's some really interesting developments on the fictional technology front. Though seemingly biological in some way, the Vajra can continue to operate even when it's head has been vaporized. Speaking of which, Mikhail's sniper gun pod, which at first appeared ballistic now seems to be some kind of energy based weapon, though many fans have pointed out that a sufficiently powerful rail gun would turn it's projectile into super hot plasma during firing and could act as a melting/vaporizing attack.

I find myself really enjoying the character relationships. Alto and Sheryl in particular provide a roller coaster of laughs being so at odds with each other. For all Sheryl's professionalism, she is still immature and often far too sure of herself for her own good. Alto continues his stubborn behaviour and has much to learn about keeping a cool head, but for all his faults he's no slouch and stands up to Sheryl's abuse every bit as good as she can give out. Ranka is the small center in the storm and has serious issues of her own. We find out she's only a surrogate sibling to Ozuma, who has taken her under his care during a past encounter with the Vajra that killed her entire family. Ranka is fragile, but also incredibly upbeat and determined in her own way. She seems able to befriend both Sheryl and Alto easily, despite the vast differences those two have with each other. Ranka seems poised to be a natural creator of understanding and culture, particularly through the time-honored theme of music in the Macross franchise. We're sure to see more. Lieutenant Glass has only a little to do in the episode, but it's quickly revealed Kathy has an intimate and somewhat risque relationship with Leon Mishima, a relationship which should create some interesting drama for future episodes.

Technically the show continues to impress. The character animation style is amazingly expressive, particularly during the final scenes of the episode with a sequence between Alto and Ranka. The SMS is described in more detail and the shortcomings of the New UN Spacy are again focused upon throughout this episode. The SMS, at least in Ozuma's eyes (however biased) seem to be the unsung heroes of this new age in the Macross universe; mostly unknown in life and largely forgotten in death, but courageously defending the Macross Frontier fleet. Mikhail and Luca explain to Alto that their enlistment into the SMS had to be a secret but eventually Alto himself is given entry into the SMS by Ozuma. The three friends are obviously in for some good and bad times ahead. For the first time, the third episode ends on a close without a cliff hanger and it feels like the opening act of this series has been played. It's been one hell of a great opening and I hope this show doesn't sabotage itself later on because so far it is one tight anime series.

Macross Frontier episode four continues to meet expectations and provides some great action and a lot of entertaining humor. The Zentradi make a very flashy return to the Macross universe as we're treated to three Meltrandi piloting newly designed Queadluun-Rau Lambda battle suits. Giant sized and all, the new Q-Rau proves it's just as deadly as the latest VF-25. Watching the Q-Rau in action is a true delight for long time Macross fans and the new CG animation doesn't fail to do this mecha justice. We also get some more setting embelishments as the main action in this episode takes place in amongst a 7,000 year-old Zentradi battle site filled with destroyed Zentradi warships and mecha. This provides more history for new fans and wlecome reference for old fans.

The characters continue to develop at a very satisfying pace. We learn that Alto, though being harshly run through the training guantlet at SMS, is highly skilled and exceeding the expectations of his fellow pilots. The montage of Alto's training provides some hilarious situations for our hero. Alto just can't seem to catch his breath taking a beating (literally) both at SMS from Ozuma or at school from his teachers. Meanwhile Ranka begins down a path to attaining her dreams and enters the 12th Miss Macross Frontier beauty pageant. Lt. Glass and her boyfriend Chief of Staff Leon Mishima are on hand for judging, but Glass notices Leon has plans for Ranka. Ranka is nervous and not quite as composed as she should be for the contest, but nonetheless gives her all in a great rendition of My Boyfriend Is A Pilot a song made famous by the original Macross idol Lynn Minmay. In amongst the contest, we are also introduced ever so briefly to Ranzo Saotome, Alto's disapproving father. Looks like more pressure is on the horizon for our dear hero

Episode four also provides a little background into Ranka's past and the Vajra. Seems the latest nemesis of the UNG has been attacking them in stages for a little more than 11 years now and is responsible for the death of Ranka's entire family aboard the 117th Research Fleet. It's also revealed that Alto has some more elaborate motives of his own, as he has a strong desire to defeat the Vajra and protect Ranka. It's likely no coincidence that Ranka was present at two major Vajra attacks, but we'll have to wait to see more.

Lastly, the meltran pilot Klan Klein is introduced in this episode. While a deadly and beautiful female pilot when in her giant sized Zentradi form, the poor woman has a rare genetic discrepency which causes her to revert to an adolescent girl when she undergoes the micloning process for reduction to human size. Mikhail in particular delights in mocking poor Klan Klein in her miclone form and provides some of the funniest moments in Macross Frontier to date. No doubt we can look forward to more fun from these two as the series progresses.

Again, the new Macross Frontier series pays plenty of homage to the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross series, but continues to charge in new directions. The homages often make us think we know what will happen, only to have the unexpected throw us right off. The series stands well on it's own, but as a long time fan I'm loving the way Kawamori is playing with audience expectations and constantly throwing us off what we think will happen.

Hehehe, glad to hear it Rubel. It's seems near universal across the net. From the Gundam fans to the Robotech fans to anime fans in general, all the boards on which I post are loving this show

My review for episode #5:

After four episodes of adventure, small character moments and establishing cast, Macross Frontier episode five focuses at last upon the three central characters Ranka, Sheryl and Alto. Taking a break from the action up until this point, episode five concentrates on building up the story for both the characters and the drama yet to come. Several discoveries about the new Macross universe are unveiled. The broader world of the Macross Froniter fleet is shown as Sheryl and Alto travel among the various areas of Island One and find entire areas where full-sized Zentradi live. On Island Three, Leon reveals some interesitng facts after examining the Vajra: they are advanced bio-mechanical weapons possessing the same energy converting armor as a Valkyrie fighter but controlled by a very small, limited brain. The big question remains who controls these creatures?

Back on Island One, Sheryl pursues Alto in an attempt to locate her missing earing. She seems determined to find it, but is also welcoming the opportunity to be with Alto. For all their arguing and clashes, Sheryl seems to value the fact that Alto doesn't gush over her like nearly everyone else in her life. Alto too is slowly learning that the same drive within himself is also found in Sheryl; Alto wants to fly and pursue his dream and Sheryl works hard for her singing. The two have more in common than either care to admit, but it's clear they have a connection. Meanwhile Ranka runs into trouble with her brother Ozuma. Seems Ranka's performance at the Miss Macross Frontier contest got her suspended from her puritanical private school. Ranka is beginning to understand what sacrifices she has to make to pursue her dreams. With some hard-to-swallow advice from Mikhail, Ranka puts on a public show of her singing, determined to overcome her shyness. She almost falters, but one of Alto's paper planes flies overhead and she's swept up in her emotions for him. Singing proudly to no one in particular, Ranka attracts a crowd with her melodic voice.

While definitely a slower paced story, this episode is filled with great character moments. With the players in this tale firmly established, it was well past time to delve into the love triangle between Sheryl, Alto and Ranka. Macross Frontier is doing a great job pacing itself without repeating and without ever becoming dull. The audience is invested and the writers are determined to deliver.